AT&T to begin testing 5G this year, speeds expected to be 10 to 100 times faster than 4G LTE

Technology progresses forward, and it’s no different for the wireless industry and the networks subscribers connect to.

AT&T has officially announced that, beginning this year, it will start running tests on 5G wireless technology. According to the Big Blue network, the more precise lab tests will start sometime in the second quarter, and then outdoor, or field tests, will take place over the summer months. The network, based on its official statement, suggests that 5G will impact overall speeds for its subscribers in a big way, speculating that speeds will increase 10 to 100 times when compared to 4G LTE — the current frontrunner for wireless networks in the United States.

“Customers will see speeds measured in gigabits per second, not megabits. For reference, at one gigabit per second, you can download a TV show in less than 3 seconds. Customers will also see much lower latency with 5G. Latency, for example, is how long it takes after you press play on a video app for the video to start streaming on your device. We expect 5G latency in the range of 1 to 5 milliseconds.”

Verizon Wireless, for what it’s worth, is beginning its own tests on 5G wireless technologies this year as well. However, while the tests are being run, it won’t be arriving for the general subscriber base for quite some time. The technologies for a widespread rollout won’t be in place until 2018, and it’s expected that AT&T’s own rollout of its 5G network won’t happen until at least 2020. However, for those that live in Austin, Texas, there will be fixed points of access this year.

Testing something of this nature takes time, but an increase in data connections is certainly something to look forward to.

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